I'm not a crossword puzzle solver, but this one sure looks tough to me. I note it is offered as a "contribution to Christmas relaxation." More like Christmas frustration!

Don

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It is very difficult! I spent 30 minutes or so on it, used the Internet and didn't get very far. But with your many years of high expertise, I expect you to post the solution in a day or two, Mr Stamp.

It's a UK-style cryptic crossword. Lots of anagrams. The way to solve each clue is to analyze the words. So "A snake swallows more than fifty in South America" reads as put a Roman number "LIVI" in the name of a snake [BOA] to get something in S. America.

"Scena is on in the Atlantic" is a straight anagram, as is "Muddled reign in West Africa."

I'm still working on the rest, and trying to avoid looking at the solution!

It's a UK-style cryptic crossword. Lots of anagrams. The way to solve each clue is to analyze the words. So "A snake swallows more than fifty in South America" reads as put a Roman number "LIVI" in the name of a snake [BOA] to get something in S. America.

"Scena is on in the Atlantic" is a straight anagram, as is "Muddled reign in West Africa."

I'm still working on the rest, and trying to avoid looking at the solution!

It's a UK-style cryptic crossword. Lots of anagrams. The way to solve each clue is to analyze the words. So "A snake swallows more than fifty in South America" reads as put a Roman number "LIVI" in the name of a snake [BOA] to get something in S. America.

"Scena is on in the Atlantic" is a straight anagram, as is "Muddled reign in West Africa."

I'm still working on the rest, and trying to avoid looking at the solution!

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Maybe you are right.When looking at the solution the Boa became
obvious.But LIVI is no roman number.LI would be 51 and VI 6.
But a combination of both does not exist.
As my Latin is more than rusty,I had to consult the net:
Livi (or also levi) is the first person (I),active,perfect of linere.
What means to cover and number of related meanings.So it
would be: I have covered.
But possibly Mr.Gregory´s Latin was even worse than mine !

I agree Werner, "LIVI" is not a single Roman number. "More than 50" would imply something like simply "LI". Or at least it would in the modern cryptic crosswords of the UK Daily Telegraph or The Times. I can't explain "LIVI" adequately...